Door Industry Journal - Summer 2019

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal summer 2019 Industry News 12 Closing the gap on fire safety With door closers being an essential part of fire safety in any property, David Saxby, Senior Category Manager at IronmongeryDirect, provides guidance on a range of door closer solutions to ensure tradespeople are up to speed with the latest and best products for their customers. As specified by Approved Document B of the Building Regulations, a door closer must be fitted to a fire door to prevent the spread of flames and smoke in the event of a fire. A minimum ‘power size 3’ is required, and as with all fire door components, must be CE marked. The closing time of the door must also not exceed 25 seconds. One of the most trusted and economical options for an overhead closer is the Arrone AR3500 Door Closer. With an adjustable power size 2-4, it’s suitable for living accommodation, offices and corridors. With a 120-minute fire rating, closing and latch speed adjustments, backcheck and a 10-year guarantee, this product offers durability and flexibility. Another top choice is the Dorma TS92 Cam Action Door Closer which consists of a track arm that fits neatly against the frame of the door. The cam action mechanism makes the door easier to open, ideal for fire doors in public buildings, and is compliant with BS8300 standard, offering equal access for the disabled, elderly or those less able. Electromagnetic door closers, such as the GEZE TS4000E Electromagnetic Door Closer, are a particularly good choice, providing a modern and state of the art alternative. They are wired directly into a fire detection system, allowing doors to be held open for everyday use but which will then close upon activation of a fire alarm. Hold open devices In certain situations, it may be inconvenient or impractical for fire doors to always be closed. For example, it can present hazards in a building where there is busy traffic circulation such as a school or hospital. Installing a hold-open device such as the Dorgard Smartsound is the only legal way of keeping a fire door open: on hearing a continuous fire alarm, it will release, allowing the fire door to close under the pressure of the overhead door closer. This new smartsound technology uses audio filtering to listen for an actual alarm, reducing false activations by background noise. When assessing a fire door, it is imperative to check that the hold open device releases when required, the batteries are working, and if the device has been tested in accordance with BS EN1155 for electromechanical devices. Fire doors are key in any commercial, public or multi-occupancy building to protect life by preventing fire and smoke from spreading, whilst also minimising damage to the building itself. Door closers are a key consideration and understanding the different types will enable you to choose the best solution and achieve the highest levels of safety and security. For more guidance, view IronmongeryDirect’s Fire Door Checklist: ironmongerydirect.co.uk/fire-door-checklist